It had been a long day!
The large touring busses which had transported us all over to the filming site stood ready to transport us back to the stadium where our cars were parked.
Logistically speaking, there had been no wait in the morning, since the transportation of all 5,000 of us had been spread across several hours. Now, however, all 5,000 of us were finished for the day and ready to get back to our cars.
Needless to say … there was a wait.
Dust hung thick and heavy in the air as touring bus after touring bus loaded up with passengers and drove away. The sun sank low on the horizon … glowing fiery red through the haze of thick dust.
Darkness fell.
And still several thousand 5K extras waited … jammed together in a mass of humanity … awaiting the opportunity to board a bus. We were all exhausted … but happy. It had been a good day!
Earlier, as filming had wrapped up, Dallas Jenkins (the Director) had informed us all that he and his wife would be over at the stadium parking lot to greet us, if any of us would like to say “Hi” and take a photo.
Now, as we all stood in the darkness, crammed together waiting for a chance to board a bus, we couldn’t help but wonder if it was too late. It had been several hours now. Surely Dallas and his wife wouldn’t still be there by the time we finally made it over there.
Bit by bit we slowly inched forward in the crowded jumble … as touring bus after touring bus continued to load up with passengers and drive away.
Finally, hubby and I found ourselves at the front of the line. Would there be enough space left on the bus for us?? Yes!! Yes … there was just enough space for us!
Gratefully we climbed aboard the air-conditioned bus … air conditioning!! Wow!
It was a quiet ride back over to the stadium. Everyone was so exhausted! Dallas was probably gone by now. After-all, he had been on set since early morning … and it was now well past 9:30pm … and he had another full day of filming tomorrow. He’s probably gone.
The bus pulled into the stadium parking lot, and much to our astonishment … Dallas and his wife were still there! A long line of weary 5K extras waited … and there was Dallas and his wife, greeting each person with warmth and gratitude. It was astonishing!
Dallas and his wife were every bit as weary and exhausted as we were. Yet they cared about us. They cared about us enough to stay … and greet person after person after person. It was astonishing!
Each person mattered deeply to them. Surely this was how Jesus was when he was here on the earth.
In the Biblical account of the Feeding of the 5,000 both Matthew and Mark include the detail that afterwards Jesus dismissed the crowds. Surely Jesus was every bit as warm and caring to the people as he dismissed them.
Back at the filming site, many hundreds more people still waited in the darkness for a bus. No doubt it would still be a couple more hours before everyone made it to their cars.
And yet we knew that Dallas and his wife would be here for every single person who would like to say “Hi.” Because each and every person mattered!
It is never too late! Jesus cares about you!! You matter!
#thechosen
